Ford Launches Website for Its New Compact Electric Pickup
Just a few days after the long-awaited compact electric Ford pickup was spotted under camouflage in the U.S., the company launched a dedicated website for it, kicking off its own teaser campaign.
The camouflaged prototypes feature QR codes that lead to Ford’s special website. There, visitors are greeted with a message that they have “spotted a unicorn” and are offered three videos showcasing the pickup’s testing.
An Exception Among Ford’s EVs
Ford, like many of its competitors, has significantly cut new investments in electric vehicles due to declining demand and constant changes in U.S. policy. This pickup is an exception, as is the universal EV platform underneath it, which the company is still betting on.
In the first of the clips, Ford’s new compact electric pickup is shown at a specialized test center, followed by footage of it driving in snow. The video also shows the manufacturing plant where the vehicle is created and the assembly process of its simplified platform.
In another video, Ford Senior Automotive Software Specialist Chris Kirkland shows more winter testing in Northern Michigan. This video provides an excellent overview of the model, which resembles the old Ford Ranger from the 1990s in size, but with four doors.
Design and Price
The pickup’s design is quite interesting, and thanks to the electric powertrain, it can have a very short hood. Additionally, the vehicle features a steeply raked windshield for improved aerodynamics. Key EV elements being refined in the snow include stability and traction control systems, as well as Electronic Power Assisted Steering (EPAS).
Ford also confirmed that the compact electric pickup will be released next year. Key specifications and the price will be announced closer to the launch, but the starting price is expected to be around $30,000, and the vehicle is expected to be equipped with a lithium-iron-phosphate battery.
Despite the overall slowdown in the EV market, Ford is betting on an affordable compact pickup that could be a “gateway” for new buyers. The size, close to the old Ranger, and the price of around $30,000 make it potentially attractive to those looking for a practical electric vehicle without unnecessary expenses. The winter testing indicates that the company is placing special emphasis on reliability and handling in difficult conditions, which is critical for a pickup that could be used as a work tool.